Japan-Kenya Relations
Japan-Kenya Foreign Ministers’ Meeting
November 4, 2022
On November 4th, commencing at 5:30 p.m. for approximately 30 minutes, Mr. HAYASHI Yoshimasa, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, who is visiting Germany to attend the G7 Foreign Ministers Meeting, held a meeting with Hon. Dr. Alfred MUTUA, Cabinet Secretary, Foreign and Diaspora Affairs of the Republic of Kenya. The overview is as follows.
- At the outset, Minister Hayashi congratulated Cabinet Secretary Mutua for his appointment as the Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs. Minister Hayashi also stated that he would like to further improve cooperative relations with Kenya, on the occasion of 60 years anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Kenya. In response, Cabinet Secretary Mutua expressed his appreciation to long-time investment and friendship by Japan to Kenya. Both sides confirmed to work for further development of bilateral relations, based on the outcome of TICAD 8.
- Minister Hayashi expressed his intention to further improve bilateral economic relations with Kenya, through “investment in people” such as the ABE initiatives. In response, Cabinet Secretary Mutua expressed his appreciation for support by Japan until today. Also, Minister Hayashi commended the mediation effort by Kenya for the peace talks between the Ethiopian government and the TPLF held in South Africa, and stated that it is necessary for all the stake-holders to ensure the implementation of the agreement. In response, Cabinet Secretary Mutua stated that the follow-up of the agreement is significant.
- Minister Hayashi stated that Russia's aggression against Ukraine is an act that shakes the very foundation of the international order, and the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity enshrined in the UN Charter must be upheld. Also, Minister Hayashi stressed that the nuclear threat by Russia cannot be accepted at all, and that the use of nuclear weapons shall never be allowed. Furthermore, regarding the importance of transparency and fairness of development finance toward the sustainable development of recipient countries including those in Africa, Minister Hayashi stated that it is important to ensure all creditor countries adhere to the international rules and standards, and both sides acknowledged the importance of these issues and confirmed the importance for the international society to speak out in unity. In addition, both sides confirmed that they would work closely to address various issues that the international community is facing such as addressing North Korea including the nuclear and missile issues as well as the abduction issues, and strengthening the functions of the United Nations including Security Council Reform.